Addressing-machine.



No. 722,136. PATENTBD MAR. 3,1903.

' L. E. OLSON. ADDRBSSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 30, 1902.

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riti? marne arena tierce@ LOUIS E. OLSON, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

ADDRESSING-VIACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 722,136, dated Merch 3, 1903 application iilecl September 30, 1902. Serial No. 125,408. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, LOUIS E. OLSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Addressing- Machine, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention relates to a novel addressingmachine of that type which involves means for automatically feeding a mailingstrip and for pasting, cutting, and applying the individual address-labels of which said strip is composed.

The object of the invention is to produce a simple, inexpensive, and highly-efficient machine of this type :involving novel means for effecting the automatic feed of the mailing-strip either regular or irregular distances, accord! ing to the widths of the individual addresslabels, novel cutting mechanism for severing the labels as the latter are successively presented in position for application to a wrapper, and improved mechanism for effecting the even distribution of the adhesive material or paste to the under sides of the labels immediately prior to their detachment from the strip.

Another object of the invention is to equip a mailing-machine witha mirror in which the reflected image of the label located below the cutter may be observed by the operator for the purpose of aiding him in regulating the feed of the mailing-strip in accordance with the dimensions of the individual labels.

Subordinate to these general objects are others, which will fully appear as the description of the illustrated form of the invention is developed.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein the preferred form of my machine is disclosed, Figure 1 is a perspective view-of the complete machine with the cutter-frame in its elevated position. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the various parts positioned as in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the complete machine. Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the paste-box detached, showing the lid drawn back to disclose the interior parts; and Fig. 5 is a detail perspective View illustrating the mounting of the feed-lever.

Like numerals are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The frame 1 of the machine is a light metal structure, including side walls 2 and 3, of any desired dimensions, connected by top and bottom walls e and 5 and a back wall 6. The length of the top wall is considerably less than that of the frame in order that interior parts may be observed by the operator, and the back wall 6 is cut away, as indicated at 7, for a reason to be explained.

One side wall of the frame or casing is cut away, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, to permit the insertion of a paste-box 8, designed to contain the adhesive material to be applied to the address-labels. This box is comparatively shallow at its front end, and its top, which is closed by a sliding lid 9, received within guidegrooves 10 in the sides of the box, is disposed at an inclination and constitutes a support or platen for the mailing-strip. The paste-distributing mechanism with which the box is provided includes a combination pasting and feeding roll 11, extending transversely across the box adjacent to its front end and preferably having a longitudinally-corrugated periphery extending upwardly through an opening defined between the front end of the lid 9 andthe adjacent end of the box. The roll 1l is intended to aid in the forward feeding of the mailing-strip 12 and to smoothly distribute a layer of paste or other adhesive material to the under sides of the labels. 1n cooperative relation with the roll 11 are a pair of auxiliary paste-rolls 13 and 14, journaled in suitable bearings within the paste-box and operated from the primary pasting-roll 11 by suitable gearing-as, for instance, an endless belt passed around the three rolls 11, 13, and 14 and received within annular grooves 15, formed in the rolls for its accommodation. The paste-roll 11 is operated from the main feed-roll 16, extending between the side walls of the frame 1 immediately above that portion of the mailing-strip 12 which passes over and in contact with the primary pasting-roll.

The feed-roll 16 is provided with a rubber or other suitable fricticnal covering 17, which facilitates its engagement with the mailingstrip, and the trunnions of the rolls 11 and and 1G are extended beyond one side of the frame and are provided with intermeshing pinions 18 and 19. By reason of this gearing between the feeding` and pasting rolls the paste-applying mechanism will be operated to apply the paste to the under side of the mailing-strip whenever the latter is fed forward by theorotation of the feed-roll.

. By reference to Fig. 1 it will be noticed that the opening cut in the side of the frame to permit the insertion and Withdrawal of the paste-box is of somewhat-greater length than. the box in order that the latter may be inserted in a slightly rearward position and then moved forward to bring the pinion 18 of the primary paste-roll into mesh with the pinion 19 of the feed-roll. The box is held rigidly in its proper position by sliding latches 2O and 21, engaging keepers 22, secured to the wall 3, and having operating knobs or handles 24 and 25, which facilitate the retraction of the latches and also serve as handles, which may be grasped When inserting or withdrawing the .paste-box.

The mailing-strip 12, the end of which is disposed over the lid of the paste-box and passed down between the paste and feed rolls, is preferably, though not necessarily, unwound from a roll 26, wound upon a spool 27, loosely carried by a transverse spool-shaft 28, extending between the side walls of the frame, adjacent to the rear end of the latter and directly opposite the cut-out portion 7 of the rear Wall 6. It will now appear that the provision of the opening 7 in the rear wall of the frame is designed for the accommodation of the mailing-strip roll, which may be of sufficient dimensions to extend beyond the end of the frame. The mailing-strip after passing between the rolls 11 and 16 is led under a combined presser-bar and guide 29, disposed immediately beyond the front end of the pastebox and bearing lightly upon the strip 12. The bar 29v is designed to yield slightly in order to avoid the possibility of its obstructing the feed and to accommodate strips of different thicknesses and is therefore preferably in the form of a spring-wire passed transversely across the frame and having angular ends 30, engaging the side walls 2 and 3.

We have now seen in what manner the mailing-strip is supported and how it is simultaneously advanced and supplied with adhesive material by the coperation of the feeding and pasting rolls, and I shall now proceed with the description of the cutting and applying mechanism, by means of which the individ ual address-labels are detached from the strip and applied, and also those elements of the feeding mechanism by means of which the feed-roll16 is given a partial rotation to effectv .the feed of the mailing-strip after each cutting operation.

Immediately in advance of the paste-box S is disposed what may be termed a fixed cutter 31, extending transversely across the frame between the side Walls and adjustably retained in fixed position by set-screws 32,

passed through horizontal slots 33 in the Walls 2 and 3. The cutting edge 34 of the fixed cutter or cutter-bar 3l is disposed under the mailing-strip somewhat in advance of the presserbar and guide 29 and is slightly inclinedfrom end to end of the cutter, as best shown in Fig. 1, whereby the address-label will be severed by a shearing cut upon the descent of a vertically-reciprocatory combined cutter and presser-foot 35, extending between the lower ends of the front slides 36 and 37 of what I shall term a cutter-frame 38. The slides 36 and 37 are mounted to move in guides 39 of any suitable character located at the front ends of and preferably integral with the Walls 2 and 3 of the machine-frame. In addition to the slides 36 and 37 the cutter-frame 38 includes rear slides 40 and 41, disposed to reci procate in guides 42, preferably in the form of long cleats secured to the inner sides of the walls 2 and 3 adjacent to the rear end of the frame 1. The several vertical slides are connected in a rigid organization by substantially horizontal arms 44, diverging from the lower end of a vertical handle 45 of cylindrical form, the handle 45, arms 44, and the several slides being preferably formed integrally.

The cutter-frame is designed to be depressed manually to present the cutter 35 to the mailing-strip and is automatically retracted by a stout spring 46, bearing at one end against the top wall 4 of the frame l and at its opposite end against a suitable abutment-as, for instance, a transverse pin 47 in the cylindrical handle 45 of the cutter-frame. The retracting-spring 46 is preferably inclosed by a cylindrical spring-casing 48, upstanding from the top wall 4 and having interfitting relation with the handle 45 to constitute a center guide for the cutter-frame.

We now come to consider the feed-roll-operating mechanism, which obviously must be brought into action to advance the mailingstrip after each descent of the knife or cutter 35 to sever a label. This timing of the operations is secured by providing for the rotation of the feed-roll 16 upon the retraction of the cutter-frame. Integrally with one of the arms 44 of the cutter-frame is formed a supporting-bracket 49, (see Figs. 1 and 5,) upon which is fulcrumed in a suitable bearing 50 an angular feed-lever 51, the lower end of which is in the form of a vertically-disposed rack-bar 52, preferably located immediately in rear of the slide 36 and formed at its lower extremity with a toothed rack 53, the teeth of which are of ratchet form and are disposed to engage the teeth of a ratchet-wheel 54, mountedupon one end of the feed-roll 16. (See Figs. 1 and 2.)

The feed-lever is yieldingly urged toward its engaging position by a spring 55, secured to the bracket 49, and its upper end is extended upwardly in front of the handle 45. The upper end of this vertical extension 56 of the lever 5l is disposed at an inclination IIO IZO

and is passed into the handle through a slot 57 in the side thereof. This inclined upper extremity of the feed-lever (indicated by 5S, see Fig. 2) is disposed in cooperative relation with a cam 59, depending from a knob 60, constituting a part of the handle of the cutter-frame, but having slight movement independently of the cylinder 45. Upon the application of pressure to the knob the latter is first moved independently to swing the feedlever out of engagement with the ratchetwheel of the feed-roll, and the knob having reached the limit of its movement then effects the depression of the cutter-frame to sever an address-label from the previouslyadvanced mailing-strip. As soon now as the pressure of the hand is removed from the knob 60 the spring 55 swings the feed-lever to engage the rack 53 with the ratchet-wheel 54. The feed-rack being in its engaging position, its movement with the cutter-frame as the latter is retracted bythe spring 46 will effect a partial rotation of the feed-roll 16, and the mailing-strip will thus be advanced the distance of one address-label while the movable cutter is being retracted.

Obviously the extent of Ithe feed is determined by the size of the ratchet-wheel 54 and by the stroke of the feed-rack while in engagement with the wheel. I may therefore change the feed by equipping the feed-roll 16 with ratchet-wheels of various sizes. It frequently happens, however, that the addresslabels of a single mailing-strip will vary more or less in width, and it is therefore desirable to provide for the regulation of the feed during the rapid manipulation of the machine. In view of this consideration I have devised the novel feeding mechanism shown in the drawings. It will be noted that the operator may readily regulate the duration of the feed during any given retraction of the cutterframe by pressing upon the vertical portion 56 of the feed-lever to disengage the rack 53 from the ratchet-wheel 54 whenever the desired feed has been effected. To facilitate this operation, I provide the lever with a button 6l ata convenient point to be pressed by a linger of the hand employed in the manipulation of the cutter-frame. After some little practice, however, it is possible to manipulate the feed-lever by a simple variation of the pressure upon the knob GO-that is to say, when the cutter-frame is being retracted the feedlever will of course remain in its engaging position as long as no pressure is exerted upon the knob 60. If, however, it is desired to discontinue the feed before the retraction of the cutter-frame has been completed, it may be done by exerting a slight pressure upon the knob 60 to cause the cam 59 thereof to swing the feed-lever to its disengaged position, the pressure being insufficient, however, to interfere with the proper retraction of the cutter-frame.

It will be noted Jthat that portion of the mailing-strip which extends over the lower cutter and beyond the same is more or less obscured from above by the feed-roll and the upper knife. In order, therefore, to facilitate the inspection of the front end of the strip and the proper regulation of the feed, I provide a mirror 62, located in advance of the machine and supported by a mirror-bracket 63, preferablyconstructed from a single piece of wire bent to form a clip 64 for the retention of the mirror, and side arms 65, attached to the opposite sides of the frame-as, for instance, as shown in Fig. 1. The mirror 62 is disposed at such an inclination that the operator standing in a natural position may observe the reflected image of the front end of the mailing-strip and will thus be apprised of the proper time to stop the feed if the width of the label to be severed is of less extent than the normal feed of the strip. In addition to the automatically-operated stripfeeding means described the feed-roll 16 is provided with an operating-knob 66, extending beyond one side of the frame, so that the feed-roll may be turned by hand in the event of its being necessary to feed the strip a greater distance than is afforded by the normal feed of the machine. It is also desirable to provide means for aidingin the movement of the machine from one place to another without necessity for removing the hand of the operator from the handle, and for this purpose I provide a bail 67, extended over the handle and having its ends secured to the opposite sides of the frame 1, preferably through the medium of suitable buttons 68, engaging slots 69 in the bail.

Briefly the operation of the machine is as follows: The parts being in the positions indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, the hand of the operator is passed under the bail 67 and upon the handle of the cutter-frame. Downward pressure exerted upon the knob 60 will cause the latter to move slightly for the purpose of rocking the feed-lever ont of engagement with the ratchet 54 of the feed-roll, and continued pressure will effect the depression of the cutter-frame against the resistance of the spring 46. As the reciprocatory cutter 35 moves downward an address-label constituting that portion of the mailing-strip which extends beyond the lower cutter 31 will be severed from the strip and will be pressed down upon a mailing-wrapper disposed under the front end of the machine. The operator will now relieve the downward pressure upon the knob 60, the spring 55 will at once swing the feed-lever 51 to effect an engagement of the feed-rack 53 with the ratchet 54, and the spring 46 will retract the cutterframe. The retraction of the frame 38 will simultaneously elevate the cutter 35 and the rack 53, the latter serving to rotate the feedroll 16 and the several pasting-rolls geared thereto. The rotation of the feeding and pasting rolls will advance the mailing-strip to present the next address-label in position to be severed and will cause a thin coating IIO of adhesive material to be applied to the label in rear of the one advanced beyond the lower cutter, it being observed that the presser-bar and guide 29 will maintain the lower end of the strip 12 in proper position and will prevent the latter from being drawn upward or otherwise displaced during the retraction of the cutter 35.

If during the retraction of the cutter-frame the operator should note by observing the advance of the strip in the mirror that a label has been advanced into proper position before the normal feed is completed, the feed is instantly stopped by pressing upon the button 6l, thus swinging the feed-lever to its disengaged position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. If, on the other hand, it should be observed that the complet-e retraction of the rack 53 has not eected a sufficient advance of the mailing-strip, it is simply necessary to turn the knob 66, and thus rotate the feedroll 16, to feed the strip the desired distance.

It is thought that from the foregoing the construction and operation of my addressingmachine will be clearly apparent; but while the illustrated embodiment of the invention is believed at this time to be preferable I Wish to be distinctly understood as reserving to myself the right to eect such changes, modifications, and variations of the illustrated structure as may be fairly embraced within the scope of the protection prayed.

What I claim is- 1'. In an addressing-machine, the combination With strip feeding and cutting mechanisms, of an operating-handle common to both of said mechanisms, and means associated with said handle for interrupting the feed without interrupting the operation of the machine.

2. In an addressing-machine, the combination with strip feeding and cutting mechanisms, of an operating-handle common to both of said mechanisms, and a feed-lever constituting an element of the feeding mechanism and associated with the handle, said lever being arranged to interrupt the feed at any desired point, whereby the feed of the strip may be regulated during the operation of the machine.

3. In an addressing-machine, the combination With strip feeding and cutting mechanisms, of an operating-handle, and a cam associated With the handle and movable to regulate the operation of the strip-feeding mechanism.

4. In an addressing-machine, the combination with strip feeding and cutting mechanisms, of a common operating-handle, an independently-movable knob associated with the handle, and means operated by the independent movement of said knob for regulating the feed of the strip.

y5. In an addressing-machine, the combination with strip feeding and cutting mechanisms, of a common operating-handle, a knob associated With the handle and having slight independent movement, and a feed-lever constituting an element of the strip-feeding mechanism and operatively related .to the knob to be shifted thereby to its inoperative position.

In an addressing-machine, the combination with strip feeding and cutting mechanisms, of an operating-handle, an independently-movable knob associated with the handle and provided with a cam, and a feed-lever disposed for operation by the cam and constituting an element of the strip feeding mechanism.

'7. In an addressing-machine, the combination with strip-cutting mechanism, an operating-handle therefor, and means for retracting the handle, of strip-feeding mechanism operative to feed the strip during the retractile movement only of the handle, and means carried by the handle for interrupting the feed of the strip at any time during the retraction of said handle.

8. In an addressing-machine, the combination With a strip-feeding roll, and an operating membertherefor, of cutting mechanism,

an operating-handle for the cutting mechanism and the roll-operating member, and means for moving said member to an inoperative position to interrupt the feed of the strip at any desired point.

9. In an addressing-machine, the combination with a strip-feeding roll, and an operating member therefor, of cutting mechanism, an operating-handle for the cutting mechanism and the roll-operating member, and means associated with the handle for moving said member to an inoperative position to interrupt the feed of the strip at any desired point.

10. In an addressiugmachine,the combination with a strip-feeding roll, and an operating-rack therefor, of cutting mechanism, an operating-handle for the cutting mechanism and rack, and means associated with said handle for moving the rack into and out of operative relation with the strip-feeding roll.

1l. In an addressing-machine,the combination with strip-cutting mechanism including a reciprocatory cutter-frame and an operating-handle therefor, of strip-feeding mechanism operatively related to the cutting mechanism, and an independently-movableknob associated With the handle of the cutter-frame and operatively related to the strip-feeding mechanism to interrupt the feed.

12. In an addressing-machine,the combination With strip-cutting mechanism including a fixed cutter, a reciprocatory cutter-frame, a movable cutter carried by the frame and an operating-handle, of strip-feeding mechanism including a feed-roll and a feed-lever operatively related to the roll and extended into close proximity to the handle of the cutterframe, whereby the frame and feed-lever may both be operated with one hand, said feedlever being disposed for operation by the cutting mechanism to rotate the feed-roll and IOO IIO

IZO

movable independently to interrupt the feed of the strip.

I3. Inan addressing-machine,thecombination with cutting mechanism including fixed and movable cutters, a reciprocatory cutterframe carrying the movable cutter and an operating-handle for said frame, of. strip-feeding mechanism including a feed-roll provided with a toothed wheel and a feed-lever fulcrumed on the cutter-frame and provided with a rack disposed to engage said Wheel.

lei. In an addressing-machine, the combination with cutting mechanism including fixed and movable cutters, a reciprocatory cutterframe carrying the movable cutter and an operating-handle for said frame, of strip-feeding mechanism including a feed-roll provided With a toothed Wheel, a feed-lever fulcrumed upon the cutter-frame and having a rack disposed to engage said Wheel and means for automatically swinging the feed-lever in opposite directions during opposite movements of the cutter-frame.

l5. In an addressing-machine, the combination with cutting mechanism including fixed and movable cutters, a reciprocatory cutterframe carrying the movable cutter and an operating-handle for said frame, of strip-feeding mechanism includinga feed-roll provided With a toothedwvheelJ- a feed-lever fulcrumed on the cutter-frame and-having a rack disposed to engage said wheel, a spring for urging said rack to its engaging position, and means for moving the feed-lever against the resistance of said spring to effect the disengagement of the rack from the feed-roll during the movement of the cutter-frame in one direction.

16. In an addressing-machine, the combination with cutting mechanism including fixed and movable cutters, a reciprocatory cutterframe carrying the movable cutter and an operating-handle for said frame, of strip-feeding mechanism including a feed-roll provided with a toothed Wheel, a feed-lever fulcru med on the cutter-frame and provided with a rack engaging said Wheel, and with an inclined upper end disposed Within the operating-handle of the cutter-frame, and an independentlymovable knob mounted in the upper end of the handle and provided with a cam engaging the inclined upper end of the feed-lever.

17. In an addressing-machine, the combination With a main machine-frame, and a fixed cutter, of a cutter-frame comprising front and rear slides, a central hollow handle and horizontal arms diverging from the handle and connected to the upper ends of the slides, a movable cutter carried by the front slides of the cutter-frame, a hollow center guide upstanding from the main frame and intertting With the handle of the cutter-frame, a cutter-frame-retracting spring incased Within the hollow center guide and handle, and stripfeeding mechanism.

18. In an addressing-machine, the combination with a frame, and cuttingr mechanism located at the front end thereof, of feeding mechanism located in rear of the cutting mechanism, and a bar extending transversely across the frametoguide the end ofthe mailing-strip, said guide-bar having angular ends rigidly connected to the frame,\vl1ereby the bar yields to accommodate the strip but exerts springpressure thereon.

19. In an addressing-machine, the combination with the frame, of a movable cutter, a cutter-frame connected thereto and comprising front and rear slides and an operatinghandle, a horizontally-adjustable cutter eX- tending between the opposite sides of the machine-frame and cooperating With the movable cutter, means for feeding a mailing-strip between the cutters and means associated With the handle for interrupting the feed of said strip at any desired point.

20. In an addressing-machine, the combination with a frame, and cutting mechanism located at the front end thereof, of a pastebox disposed in rear of the cutting mechanism and having an opening in its top wall, a primary paste-roll exposed at said opening, auxiliary paste-rolls, said primary and auX- iliary rolls having peripheral grooves, an endless band engaging the grooves to gear the several rolls together, and a feed-roll disposed above the primary paste-roll and coperating therewith to feed and paste the mailing-strip.

2l. In an addressing-machine the combination with a frame, of cutting mechanism located at the frontend thereof, a roll-support at the rear end thereof, a paste-box located in the frame and having its top Wall upwardly inclined toward the rear end of the box and terminating in advance of and in a slightly-higher plane than the roll-support, strip feeding and pasting mechanism located adjacent to the front end of the paste-box to feed the strip to the cutting mechanism and to apply adhesive material to its under side, and operating means common to the strip cutting, feeding, and pasting mechanisms.

22. In an addressing-machine,thecombination with a frame, strip cutting and feeding mechanisms, and means for regulating the extentof the feed, of a mirrordisposed to redect an image of the advancing end of the strip to facilitate the regulation of the feed.

23. In an addressing-machine, the combination with a frame, of strip cutting and feeding mechanisms therein, means located above the frame for operating said mechanisms and for regulating the extent of the feed, and a mirror located in advance of the frame and disposed at an inclination, whereby the re- Elected image of the advancing end of the mailing-strip may be observed from a point above the machine.

24. In anaddressing-machine, the combination with a frame, of strip cutting and feeding mechanisms therein, an operating-handle IIO located above the frame, and a bail connected my own I have hereto aixed my signature in to the opposite sides of the frame and exthe presence of two Witnesses. tended above the handle to facilitate the movement of the machine from one point to LOUIS E OLON 5 another Without necessity for removing the Witnesses:

hand from the operating-handle. JNO. H. MAHER,

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as T. B. WURTENBERG. 

